MORPHOLOGIC STUDIES ON THE BIOLOGIC SEAL OF TITANIUM DENTAL IMPLANTS - REPORT I - IN-VITRO STUDY ON THE EPITHELIALIZATION MECHANISM AROUND THE DENTAL IMPLANT

To propose a mechanism for apical epithelialization at the implant-tis sue interface, cell contact to titanium surfaces and adhesive strength of epithelial-like (HGE) and fibroblastic (HGF) cells derived from hu man gingiva were investigated under three different media conditions c ontaining plaque extracts: nonfiltered, 5-mu m pore filtered, and 0.22 -mu m pore filtered. The plaque extracts had a greater effect in decre asing the growth rate of the HGF than of the HGE. Similarly, the HGE e xhibited greater adhesive strength than the HGF. These differences in the cells' resistance to plaque extracts were also observed using ligh t and electron microscopy. Evidence from this study suggests that the difference in growth, contact, and adhesive strength of the HGE and HG F cells to titanium surfaces may promote apical epithelialization unde r the pathologic condition.